#i feel tot pushes prince/damsel in distress trope on artem. to that i say:

[kohikuriko]

He narrowed his eyes, antlers angling unconsciously to point at the grinning figure.

"Go ahead and try to take the sacred books if you dare, but know that you won't leave without a fight."

"Sacred books? Fight?"

The man threw his head back in a loud laugh, fully revealing his sharp canines.

"I'm not interested in any of that."

His fingers curled tighter around the bow in his hand.

"Don't take me for a fool. If not for some treasure you're coveting, why else would the infamous Lu Jinghe venture so deep into the forest?"

"Ah~? Treasure?"

The smirk widened, all but dripping with amusement.

"You're not wrong about that part. My goal is very precious."

"You won't get a single relic from here."

"I already said I'm not interested in any of that, Zuo Ran~"

He leaned back reflexively as the man stepped forward, glossy tail flattening against his hind legs.

"I have enough exquisite artifacts to last even a dragon's entire lifetime.

Though alas, there's still a stereotypically common element missing from my lair.

What I'm looking for this time—"

The violet eyes glinted.

"Is a princess."